Published in 2008, Les sandales blanches is the autobiography of a girl from the slums of Nanterre, Malika Bellaribi. When she was 3 years old she had a terrible accident: as she was admiring a new pair of sandals her mother had just bought for her, a truck reversed into her. That was the start of years of suffering, taking her away from her family as she was transferred from one hospital or convalescent home to another. Finally looked after by the Sisters of Saint Vincent de Paul, she discovered music and singing.
France 3 decided to make a TV film based on the mezzo-soprano’s autobiography. Directed by Christian Faure, with Amel Bent as the singer, the film concentrates on the condition of women, social conditions, racism – but also success through music. Issues both these singers of Algerian origin have faced during their careers.
The final scenes were shot at the end of September, with transmission scheduled for 2021 on France Télévisions.
